Balak

Parshas Balak describes Bnei Yisrael's confrontation with two antagonistic nations: Moav and Midyan. Although Jewish history is littered with nations launching ultimately unsuccessful campaigns intent on destroying the Jewish people, Moav and Midyan present unique challenges.

Rashi, basing his interpretation on nuances of specific words in the verses, explains that Moav did not intend on destroying Bnei Yisrael; she merely wanted to assure that Bnei Yisrael would not remain on her borders - lehasiyam me'alai - presenting an ever-present threat. Rashi, again explaining language that implies the Moabite messengers of Balak remaining with Bilam rather than the Midyanite messengers, explains that Midyan believed that success in their initiative to defeat Bnei Yisrael could only be achieved through immediate accommodation by Bilam. Any hesitation would doom the mission to failure. Upon Bilam's hesitation they absconded. Why was Moav willing to forego attempts at complete destruction and 'settle' for a partial military victory? Why was Midyan unwilling to persist in their efforts, instead choosing to abandon the mission upon the slightest setback?

Perhaps more than any other nation, Moav understood that the zechus of our Forefathers prevents complete destruction and annihilation. Moav's very existence is a product of that unique bond between Hashem and Avraham. A Divine decree was issued assuring the utter destruction of Sedom and its surrounding cities. All the people were to be annihilated and the city literally turned upside down. Yet, amidst the destruction, Lot and two of his daughters were saved. The zechus of Avraham was enough to overcome the Divine decree of utter annihilation to save Avraham's not-too-righteous relatives from that decree. Hahara himaleit. Lot and his daughters were spared. That night, the incestuous cohabitation of Lot with his daughter produced Moav. The people of Moav were living proof that Divine mercy always saves the offspring of Avraham. If Avraham's zechus could save Lot from the Divine decree against Sedom, then any attempt at completely destroying the Bnei Avraham was destined to failure. Understanding this, Moav chose another route; one that could assure their safety without attempting to achieve the impossible.

Similarly, Midyan was the nation that understood that any opening for Divine mercy available to a member of Bnei Yisrael would certainly be leveraged to achieve success for Bnei Yisrael. Parshas Vayeishev describes the events surrounding the sale of Yosef. The brothers decreed the death sentence for Yosef. He was flung into a pit, left to die. In a moment of compassion, regret, or practicality, Yehuda suggests an alternative punishment. Selling Yosef, rather than leaving him to die, would bring greater benefit to the brothers. And so, the brothers agreed to sell Yosef. The verse tells us that Yehuda suggested selling Yosef to the Yishma'eilim - l'chu v'nimkhrenu la'Yishmaeilim. However, after informing us of the brothers' acquiescence to this new decree, the verse tells us that a group of Midyanite merchants happen to be passing by and so they get involved in the sale of Yosef. The description of Yosef's sale is detailed and cryptic. Chazal explain that we are told of these details to inform us that Yosef was sold many times before ultimately ending up in Egypt. But why do we need to know the identities of all the intermediary acquirers? Does it really matter that the Midyanim were involved?

The Midyanite merchants involved in Yosef's sale witnessed the interaction of Yosef and his brothers. Death was decreed upon Yosef. Upon seeing merchants in the vicinity, Yehuda has a change of heart and suggests a reprieve for Yosef. The punishment will still be severe and probably lead to an untimely demise. Nonetheless, a reprieve is, indeed, granted. The Midyanim also witness Yosef's sale to Egypt, the beginning of a journey that ultimately leads to Yosef's attainment of the position of viceroy in the most powerful nation on earth. Midyan witnessed what occurs when a moment of reprieve is granted to Bnei Yisrael. Even the slightest reprieve, the most minute moment will stir up Divine mercy and compassion that doesn't merely overturn a decree of destruction but, ultimately, leads to boundless, unimaginable success.

Therefore, it is specifically Moav who recognizes that attempts at utterly destroying Bnei Yisrael is a futile endeavor. And it is specifically Midyan who recognize that even a moment's hesitation is sure to not only grant Bnei Yisrael a reprieve from any curse of Bilam but also assure unbridled, overflowing, eternal Divine blessing to rest upon them.